Diva Magazine is the only monthly print and online magazine for lesbian and bisexual women in the UK available in shops. First published in March 1994, the magazine provides articles on news, fashion, lifestyle, culture, relationships and more. Carrie J. Lyell is assistant editor for the magazine, but previously worked for Curve Magazine and Pink Paper.

How did Diva Magazine feel when the same-sex marriage law was passed?

We were delighted when same-sex couples in England and Wales were given the right to marry in March 2014. After years of campaigning, it was fantastic to see the hard work of activists from across the country finally pay off.

What does this mean for LGBT people in the UK?

It was an important landmark which was rightly celebrated, but it’s also important to remember that marriage rights aren’t the be all and end all of equality, and the fight, for many of us, is far from over.

How far do you think the UK and the world has progressed when it comes to LGBT rights?

The UK has progressed significantly with regards to LGBT equality, but there is so much more to do, particularly for those of us who are black, disabled or poor.

Shape History is a creative agency specialising in social change. Mike is Founder & Executive Director who has worked on video and film campaigns for Out4Marriage, AllOut.org and many more.

How did the idea for Shape History arise?

Shape History came from the campaign for marriage equality in 2012. We believe emotive content can spur change. We work from coffee shops and Google HQ, we don’t do timesheets – we’re changing the way agencies work. We wanted to promote social change and draw people to educational pages.

What do you think needs to happen in the future for the progression of LGBT rights?

Marriage equality may be progressing but there’s a lot more we need to do with regards to LGBT homelessness and employment equality. Organisations such as GLAAD and the Elton John Foundation make sure other countries are heard. It’s all about telling a global story using country-specific stories to connect everyone.

What plans does Shape History have in store for the future?

Shape History has grown since last year and we’re planning a campaign on reproduction rights in the US. We’ll be working with UNESCO in Brussels and Macmillan Cancer Support in London. We just want to shape the world around us.

Stephen is the head of LGBT weekly radio magazine show Under the Rainbow on Pure FM – a hub where the LGBT community can keep up to date with news, events, culture and more.

How did you find out about Under the Rainbow?

It was while I was attending an LGBT social group in Stockport, where I met one of the staff from Pure 107.8FM. They’d already done some short broadcasts, and I thought that their LGBT radio programme was a great idea for the community.

What are your views on representation of LGBT people in the media – specifically radio?

A lot has changed for the better in the media over the past few decades. We’re no longer portrayed as the baddies, the weirdos or the deviants. Young people now have positive role models that they can look up to. Local community radio stations mostly do a good job of representing LGBT people by airing specialist programmes, such as Under the Rainbow. However, I think the best long term strategy would be better integration of LGBT issues in mainstream programming.

What are your thoughts on the introduction of the same sex marriage law in the UK?

It’s a great step forward. Civil partnerships always implied that same-sex relationships were somehow different or inferior. I know it’s meant a lot to many people to be able to declare their love and to be equal. Yet there is still room for improvement, as some inequalities remain in law. I believe that the law won’t be truly equal until all references to gender are removed.

How will the legalisation of same-sex marriage change the public’s perception and understanding of LGBT people?

It is already having a positive impact. Although hate and prejudice still remain in society, LGBT people are feeling increasingly able to be honest and open with their colleagues, friends and family. This allows the wider population to realise that we’re not the negative stereotypes that were once portrayed in the media.

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Rebecca RootStarring role in BBC’s Boy Meet’s Girl

Rebecca Root was cast in the starring role for Boy Meets Girl, a heartwarming BBC sitcom about a cis-gender male falling in love with a transsexual woman. Rebecca is the first trans woman in mainstream television to play a trans woman. As well as television, Rebecca starred in critically acclaimed film The Danish Girl, supports various charities and voice coaches transgendered and transsexual people in London.

Why is it important that the media starts including trans women and men in mainstream media?

We have been marginalised for too long, kept in the background of society, misunderstood and misrepresented on so many levels. Now we are claiming our place in the spotlight and taken seriously at last.

How far you think the UK public has progressed with regards to perceptions of trans people?

We’ve come a long way in Britain in the last 5 years. Thanks to the brilliant work of the likes of Paris Lees, April Ashley, All About Trans, BBC Trans Comedy Award/Boy Meets Girl. Trans representations are seen almost daily in media, online, on TV and in the papers. And more importantly the stories now published are rarely of the sensationalist/expose kind previously seen in the tabloid press. Everything is much more positive nowadays.

What does the legalisation of same sex marriage in the UK mean to you?

It’s great that homosexual people can enjoy the same privileges as heterosexual people.

Matt Horwood, works for one of the most notable LGBT charities in the UK. From tackling anxiety to empowering LGBT people, Stonewall helps and supports millions around the globe…

How have you helped improve quality of life and human rights for LGBT people?

We work in partnership with a growing network of more than 700 organisations to help create real change for the better. We campaign to eliminate homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in communities. We empower LGBT people and their allies to be role models wherever they live, work, shop, socialise or pray.

Why is the legalisation of same sex marriage important?

Legalising same-sex marriage is important because no one should be discriminated against on the grounds of sexual orientation, or the gender of who they love.

While this this change in law certainly marked a moment in history, it has been wrongly deemed by many as ‘equality won’ for the LGBT community. However, there is still so much left to do.

In addition to laws specifically affecting the trans community, LGBT people still face prejudice and discrimination every day in society, whether at home, at school, at work, in sport, at a place of worship or indeed overseas.

How far do you think the world has come with regards to LGBT rights?

We are seeing positive change for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality in certain corners of the world – Britain in particular has made enormous progress since Stonewall was established in 1989.

However, this is not reflected across the world. In fact, it is illegal to be gay in 75 countries and punishable by death in ten.

LGBT rights in some parts of the world are actually taking steps backward, and it’s becoming harder for lesbian, gay, bi and trans people to be themselves than it was in previous years.

Stonewall works with human rights defenders around the world, often as part of learning exchange visits, to exchange tools and knowledge with one another to improve the way we tackle inequality in our country and theirs. Last year we worked with over 100 activist groups in over 80 countries.

What needs to happen to push LGBT rights forward?

It’s essential that LGBT role models and allies step up as visible advocates for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, whether in politics, the media, law, sport or other walks of life.

These real individuals and their stories can help change hearts and minds and shape the opinions of individuals who might have previously held onto bigoted and discriminatory views.